Disclosure to Promote the Right To Information

Whereas the Parliament of India has set out to provide a practical regime of right to
information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities,
in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
to the public, particularly disadvantaged communities and those engaged in the pursuit of
education and knowledge, the attached public safety standard is made available to promote the
timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
1 +, 1 +

01 ' 5

The Right to Information, The Right to Live

Step Out From the Old to the New

Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan

Jawaharlal Nehru

IS 2878 (2004): Fire Extinguisher, Carbon Dioxide Type

(Portable and Trolley Mounted) -Specification [CED 22: Fire
Fighting]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda

Invent a New India Using Knowledge

! > 0 B

BharthariNtiatakam

Knowledge is such a treasure which cannot be stolen

IS 2878:2004

Reaffirmed - 2010

(m

yg!im )

Indian Standard
FIRE EXTINGUISHER,
CARBON DIOXIDE TYPE
( PORTABLE AND TROLLEY MOUNTED)
SPECIFICATION
( Third Revision)

ICS 13.220.10

0 BIS 2004

BUREAU
MANAK

OF
BHAVAN,

INDIAN
9

BAHADUR

NEW DELHI
August 2004

STANDARDS
SHAH

ZAFAR

MARG

110002
Price Group

Fire Fighting Sectional C-ommittee, CED 22

FOREWORD
This Indian Standard ( Third Revision ) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft
finalized by the Fire Fighting Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division
Council.
One of important types of fire extinguishers used for fine extinguishment is the carbon dioxide type which is
suitable for fire fighting in oils, petroleum products and gaseous substances under pressure ( Classes B and C
fires ) and also for fires involving electrical equipment. This standard was first pubtished in 1964 and revised
in 1976 and 1986. This revision is being prepared so as to include squeeze grip valve. and aluminium body of
fire extinguishers besides updating the requirements in respect of the materials, ptmformance and to bring it in line
with international practices specially as a replacement to HaIon 1211 and high effectiveness weight ratio.
The cylinders used for manufacturing of COZ extinguishers shall be approved by Chief Controller of Explosives.
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final
value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
IS 2:1960 Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised). The number of significant places retained in the
rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

AMENDMENT NO. 8 JUNE 2012

TO
IS 2878 : 2004 FIRE EXTINGUISHER, CARBON DIOXIDE
TYPE (PORTABLE AND TROLLEY MOUNTED)
SPECIFICATION
( Third Revision )
[Page 1, clause 3.1 (see also Amendment No. 2)] Delete 3.1(a).
(Page 1, clause 3.3) Substitute the following for the existing clause:
3.3 Extinguishers shall be capable of operating reliably within one of the
following temperature ranges of temperature:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

+ 5C to + 55C;
0C to + 55C;
-10C to + 55C;
-20C to + 55C; and
-30C to + 55C.

NOTE The temperature range selected from the above shall be marked on the fire extinguisher.

(Page 8, clause 9.5.4) Add the following at the end of clause:

For 2 kg and 3kg capacities, fire test shall be carried out for 8 B rating.

(CED 22)
Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India

AMENDMENT NO. 7 FEBRUARY 2010

TO
IS 2878 : 2004 FIRE EXTINGUISHER, CARBON
DIOXIDE TYPE (PORTABLE AND TROLLEY
MOUNTED) SPECIFICATION
( Third Revision )
(Page 8, clause 8.1) Substitute the following for the existing:
Each extinguisher body shall be painted either with epoxy powder coating or
synthetic enamel paint. The shade shall be Fire Red or Post Office Red
conforming to Shades No. 536 or 538 of IS 5.
NOTES
1 Whenever epoxy powder coating is applied on the external surface of mild steel body for
anti-corrosive treatment, synthetic enamel paint coating is not required.
2. The body of extinguisher shall be of good finish, clear of all burrs and sharp edges.

(Page 8, clause 8.4) Delete.

(CED 22)
Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India

AMENDMENT NO.5 FEBRUARY 2008

TO
IS 2878 : 2004 FIRE EXTINGUISHER, CARBON DIOXIDE
TYPE (PORTABLE AND TROLLEY MOUNTED) SPECIFICATION
(Third Revision)

(Page 1, clause 5.1, line 4) - Substitute '0.667 + 0

percent'.

for '0.667:1: 0.033

- 0.03

(CED 22)
Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India

AMENDMENT NO.4 AUGUST 2007

TO
IS 2878 : 2004 FIRE EXTINGUISHER, CARBON DIOXIDE
TYPE (PORTABLE AND TROLLEY MOUNTED) -

SPECIFICATION
( Third Rev&lo")
(Page) t clause 3.5) - Insert the following at the end of clause:
'Fire test as per 9.5 for trolley mounted 6.S, 9 and 22.5 litre capacities is not

required.

(Page 1, clause 6.1.1) - Substitutethe following for existing:

'In case of aluminium body, seamless container shall conform to IS 15660.'

[Page 2, Table 1 (see also Amendment No.2)] - Substitute the following
for existing:
SI
No.

NominalSlul

D1scharp

CO) Conte.t, kg

Ti..e, s
(3)
8..16
8-18
10-18
10-20

(2)

(I)
i)
ii)

2
3

4.S
6.S

iii)
iv)
v)
vi)

IS36

22.S

20-60

a.ISB
Ratiq

DIeter of

TnylFud
(II-Heptaae)
(5)

(4)
. 138
21 B
348
5S B
70B
898

0.41

ml ~ 1311

0.66 m1 ~:211
1.00mJ t 341
1.73 m1 361
2.20 ml 4711
2.80 m1 601)

(Page 2, Table 3) - Delete.

(Page 3, Table 4) -

Delete.

(Page 6, clauses 6.2 to 6.2.2.3) clauses.

Delete and renumber the subsequent

."

(Pag. 7, clause 6.5) - Insert the following at the end of clause:

~

'The tolerance on trolley dimensions shall be :J: S mm.'

Amend No. 4 to IS 2878 : 1004

(Page 7, clauses 9.4 and 9.4.1) -

Delete and renumber the subsequent

clauses.
to

(Page 9, Annex A) following at the end:

Delete reference to Clause '9.4.1' and insert the

IS No.

15660: 2006

Title
Refillable transportable seamless aluminium
alloygas cylinder - Specification

(Page 10, Annex B) - Delete.

(Page 13, Annex C) - Delete.

(Page 19, Annex D) - Delete.

(CED22)
Repropphy Unit. DIS" New Delhi, india

AMENDMENT NO. 3 SEPTEMBER 2006

TO
IS 2878 : 2004 EXTINGUISHER, CARBON
DIOXIDE TY-PE (PORTABLE AND
TROLLEY MOUNTED) - SPECIF.JCATION
( Tltlnl Rnulo" )

[Page 9, clause 10 (see also Amendment No.

'ADDITIONAL 1 for 'OPTIONAL'.

I)] -

Substitute

(CEO 22)
Repropaphy Unit, BIS, New Dc'hi~ India

AME~DMENT NO. 2 JUNE 2065

TO

IS 2878: 2004 FIRE EXTINGL'1SHER,

CARBON DIO~IDE TYPE (PORTABLE AND TROLLEY
MOUNTED) -- SPECI.FICATION
( Thirtl Revision)

r Page 1, clause 3.:(a) and (b) ] - Substitutethe following for the existing:
a)

Portable:

1) Mild steel body - 2, 3 and 4.5 kg

2) Aluminium body - 2, 3 and 4.5 kg
b) Trolley Mounted:

1) Mild steel body ( Page 2, Table 1 ) (I)

i)

Substitute the following for the existing:

(2)

(3)

(4)

(S)

8 - 16 s
8 18 s
1018 s
1020 s
IS 36 s
20 - 60 5

13B
218

5S B

0.41 m2 (13 I)
0.66 m2 (21 I)
1.00 m2 (34 I)
1.70 m2 (55 I)

708

2.20

89 B

2.80m2(89 I)

iii)
iv)

3
._4.;.5__
6.5

v)

vi)

22.5

ii)

~.

6.5, 9 and 22.5 kg

( Page 2, Table 2, Sf No. (i) ] -

34B

Under column 4, insert 'wheel

m2 (70

type or'

I)

before

'squeeze grip'.

( Page 7, clause 6.4.2 ) - Substitute 'suitable size' for 'not lessthan .10 mm',
( Page 7, clause 7 ) -

Delete.

( Page 7. clause 8.1, Line 2 ) - Substitute '538' for '537.'

Amend No.2 to IS ~8
: 2004
'.\1'' .,'

( Pas' 7, cl~, ,9.1, Note) -- Shift the existing note under clause 9.1
between clause hea4,i,ngs 9 and 9.1.
r: '

,( Page 7, cltlUsc9.5.1, lines 3 and 10 ) - Substir-te 'Table I' for 'Table 6'
and 'Table 5' .
'"
,J

( Page 8, claus~.9.s.3.1.line 2) - Substitute 'Table

r for

'Table 5'.

( Page 8, cla"s~~'.5.4t last lin, ) - Substitute 'Table I' for 'Table S'.
( Page 8. Table S) - Delete.
('Page 8, clause 9.5 ) - Substitute ".6' for '9.5'.

(CEO 22)

AMENDMENT

NO. 1 APRIL 2005

TO
IS 2878:2004
FIRE EXTINGUISHER, CARBON
DIOXIDE TYPE (PORTABLE AND TROLLEY
MOUNTED) SPECIFICATION
( Third Revision)
Insert the following new clause after third para:

( Foreword)

A scheme for labelling environment friendly products known as ECO Mark has
been introduced at the instance of the Ministry of Environment and Forests
(MEF), Government of India. The ECO Mark would be administered by the
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the BIS Act, 1986 as per the Resolution
No. 71 dated 21 February 1991 and No. 425 dated 28 October 1992 published in
the Gazette of the Government of India. For a product to be eligible for mat+cing
with ECO logo, it shall also carry the 1S1 Mark of BLS besides meeting additional
optional environment friendly requirements. For the purpose, the Standard Mark
of BIS would be a single mark being a combination of the 1S1 Mark and the ECO
logo. Requirements to be satisfied for a product to qualify for the BIS Standard
Mark for 13C0 friendliness being included in the relevant published standards
through an amendment.
These requirements are optional; manufacturing units
are free to opt for the 1S1 Mark alone also.
The amendment is based on the Gazette Notification No. 160 dated 1 April 1999
for Fire Extinguishers as environment friendly products published in the Gazette
of Government of India.
( Page 7, clause 8.1) Substitute 538 for 537.
( Page 7, clause 9.4.1, line 3 ) Delete Annex A.
( Page

7, claus; 9.5 ) Renumber clause 9.5 as 9.6.

( Page 7, clause 9.5 ) Insert the following

renumber the subsequent clauses:
10 OPTIONAL

REQUIREMENTS

new clauses after 9.5 and

FOR ECO MARK

10.1 General Requirements

10.1.1 Any
consideration

fire extinguisher
of ECO Mark.

having

BIS

Standard

Mark

1
Price Group 2

,.

qualifies

for

,.

,.-

---1

I
Amend No. 1 to IS 2878:2004
1
10.1.2 The products manufacturer
provision of the Water (Preventiorr

must produce the consent

clearance as per
Act, 1974, Water

and Control of Pollution)

(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 and Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 respectively, along with authorization if required
under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Rules made thereunder to the

Bureau of Indian Standards while applying for ECO Mark.

10.1.3 The products may display in brief the criteria based on which the product
has been awarded ECO Mark.

10.1.4 The product may carry along with instructions for proper use so as to
maximize product performance with statutory warning, if any, minimize waste
and method of safe disposal.

[
I
I
I

10.1.5 The material used for product

recyclable, reusable or biodegradable.

packaging

(excluding

refills)

shall be

10.1.6 The product must display a list of critical ingredients in descending order
of quantity present in percent by weight. The list of such critical ingredients
shall be identified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
10.2 Specific Requirements

i
1

10.2.1 The fire extinguisher shall not contain any Ozone Depleting Substance
(ODS) relevant to fire extinguishers industry as identified under the Montreal
Protocol (see Annex F).

10.2.2 Gas based extinguishing media once discharged in the atmosphere should
not have atmospheric 1ife time of more than a year (see Annex G).
10.2.3 Chemical used should not have global warming potential

(see Annex H).

10.2.4 The metallic body and other metal parts of the fire extinguishers
free of lead or lead alloys.

shall be

10.2.5 The coating used for the metallic part shall not be formulated with
mercury and mercury compounds or be tinted with pigments of lead, cadmium,
chromium VI and their oxides. Excluded are natural impurities entailed by the
production process Up to the amount 0.1 percent by weight which are contained
in the raw material.
NOTE CO? extinguishersmy be permitted till suitable subsututes are available.

.1

,-.

i,%,%.
..

...

kwmMw.J#mlwlw!

-~

...
ANNEX F
(Clause 10.2.1)

LIST OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES (ODS)

CONTROLLED BY MONTREAL PROTOCOL

Trade Name

ODP

10.0

Halon 1211
Halon 1301

3.0

Halon 2402

6.0

CFC- 11

1.0

CFC-12

1.0

CFC-113
CFC-114

0.8
1.0

CFC-115

0.6

CC14
c2H3cl3

1.1
0.1

CFC-13

1.0

CFC-111

1.0

CFC- 112

1.0

CFC-211

1.0 _

CFC-212

1.0

.. CFC-213

1.0

CFC-214

1.0

CFC-215

.CFC-216

1.0
j

CFC-217
M~j

Bromide

1.0
1.0

0.6

NOTE ODP values are relative to CFC-11which has heen

assigned arbltrarr

-m

..-.

*.

-,.

Amend No. 1 to IS 2878:2004

1=

.m.

Amend No. 1 to IS 2878:2004

ANNEX G
(Clause 10.2.2)
LIST OF ATMOSPHERIC
..A
Trade Name

LIFE TIME OF GAS-BASED

C.ZWTC
WUL
..

Designation

Atmospheric fife Time

(Year)

HaIon 13001

(CF 31)

NAFS III

HCFC (Blend A)

12

FE 25

HCFC- 125

36

@ 2414

HFC-12

FE 36

HFC-227 fa

250

FE13

HFC-23

250

FM 200

HFC-227 ea

CEA 410

FC-3-1-1O

<1 day

41
2600

HaIon 1301

HaIon 1301

Inergen

IG541

65

UG 55

Argonite
A-

...

..-

----

~~

{
%.,.,.

....

Amend No. 1 to IS 2878:2004

ANNEx H
(clause
LIST OF SUBSTANCES

10.2.3)

HAVING GLOBAL WARMING

POTENTIAL

(GWP)

?
,...
{
,

( CED 22 )
Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India
5

,-.

1S 2878:2004

Indian Standard
FIRE EXTINGUISHER,
CARBON DIOXIDE TYPE
( PORTABLE AND TROLLEY MOUNTED)
SPECIFICATION
( Third Revision)
1 SC=OPE

3.5 Rating Suitability

This standard covers the requirements

regarding
material, shape, construction
and performance test
of carbon dioxide fire extinguishers
( portable and
trolley mounted ).

The rating of extinguishers

recommended
as
suitable for Class B fires shall be determined using
the method given in 9.5. The rating shall be based
on the amount of extinguishing
medium used to
extinguish
the fire of maximum
size under the
conditions of the test. This amount shall be no less
than the appropriate minimum value given in Table 1.

2 REFERENCES
The standards listed in Annex A contain provisions
which through reference
in this text, constitute
provisions
of this standard.
At the time of
publication,
the editions
listed were valid.
All
standards are subject to revision and the parties to
agreements based on this standard are encouraged
to apply the most recent editions of the standards
indicated in Annex A.
3 CAPACITY
3.1 The extinguisher
capacities:
a)

b)

shall

be of the following

Por~able:
1)

Mild steel body 2 and 3 kg

2)

Aluminium

body

Trolley mounted
Mild steel body4.5,

2,3 and 4.5 kg

6.5,9 and22.5

kg

3.2 The capacity of the extinguisher

shall be the
mass of carbon dioxide when it is filled in the
container to the filling ratio as in 5.1.
3.3 Operating

Temperatures

4 MATER-IAL
The material for construction
is given in Table 2.

of various components

5 CONTENTS
5.1 The carbon dioxide gas shatl conform to IS 15222.
The extinguisher
shall be cleaned internally and
shall be filled with liquefied carbon dioxide to the
filling ratio of not more than 0.667* 0.033 percent.
The quantity shall be determined by weighing. The
filling ratio is the ratio of mass of liquefiable gas that
is allowed to be filled into the container in view of
safety considerations
to the mass of water required
to fill the container at 15C.
5.2 Weigh the extinguisher
and compare mass
marked on it for fully charged extinguisher
as
per C-7(b) of IS 2190.
It shall not be less than
10 percent of mass.
6 CONSTRUCTION
6.1 Body

Extinguishers shall be capable of operating reliably

between the following temperature ranges t :
30cto+550c
NOTE The temperature
the fire extinguisher.

( Class B )

range shall be marked on

3.4 The minimum

effective
discharge
time of
extinguishers and fire rating shall be no less than the
appropriate value given in Table 1.

The typical shape showing the cylinder with other

components is shown in Fig. 1. The extinguishers
shall have concave base. In case of steel body, it shall
conform to IS 7285.
6.1.1 In case of aluminium,
seamless containers
shall
be made
only from
materials
whose
compositions are given in Table 3 and the mechanical
properties of the finished container shall be as given
in Table 4.

1S 2878:2004
Table 1 Minimum

Effective

Discharge

Time and Rating of Extinguishers

( Clauses 3.4 and 9.1 )

No.

S1

Nominal Size/
COz CoRtent
kg

(1)

Discharge Time

(2)

Class B Rating

(3)

Fire Size/Fuel
rs-Heptane

(4)

(5)

i)

[Jnder 3

818s

5B, C

5m2 (51)

ii)

4.5

8-18s

8B, C

8m2 (81)

iii)

830s

IOB, C

10m2 (101)

iv)

22.5

1230s

20 B, C

20m2 (201)

Table 2 Materials

of Construction

of Various Components

( Clauses 4 and6.2.l
S1 No.

Material

Component

(1)

)
Conforming to Relevant
Indian Standard
(4)

(3)

(2)
Discharge valve

IS 3224 ( squeeze grip valve as shown in

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 )

ii)

Safety device

Is 5903

iii)

Syphon tube

i)

iv)

v)

a) Brass

Alloy No. 2 of IS 407

b) Copper

IS 1545

c) Aluminium

IS 738

[Hose

The minimum bursting pressure shall be

275 kgf/cm~ in control discharge and
140 kgf/cmz without control discharge

Discharge horn

Non-conductor
of
electricity
like
polyethylene,
fibre-glass and similar
materials

NOTES
1 Safety device conforming to IS 5903 shall be in-built in discharge valve conforming to IS 3224.
2 Carbon dioxide extinguisher

with metal horn does not qualify for electrical

fire rating.

Table 3 Cast Analysis

( Clause 6.1.1 )
Chemical

SI

Type of
Alloy AA
Designation
, ..- ..
(1)
(2)

No.

i) 5283
A
ii) 6061
A
iii) 6082
A
iv ) 6351
A
v ) 7060

Si
73)

Fe
(4)

Cu

Mn

Mg

Composition
Ni

Cr

( Weight, Percent )
Zn

Ti

Zr

Others
Each

Total

Ahsminium

Pb

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(13)

(14)

(15)

(16)

A4in

Max

0.30

0.30

0.03

0.50
1.0

4,5
5.1

0.05

0.03

0,10

0.03

0.05

0.003

0.15

0.15

Remainder

A4in

0.40
0.8

0.7

0.15
0.40

0.15

0.8
1.2

0.04
0.35

0.25

0.15

0.003

0.15

0.15

Remainder

VOX

0.7
1.3

0,50

0.10

0.40
1.0

0.60
1.2

0.25

0.20

0.10

0.003

0.15

0.15

Remainder

A!in

%.7

Max

Min

A4clx

1.3

0.50

0.10

0.40
0.8

0.40
0.8

0.20

0.20

0.003

0.15

0.15

Remainder

Min
Mcrx

0.15

0.20

1.8
2.6

0.20

1.3
2. I

0.15
0.25

6,1
7.5

0,05

0.05

0.003

0.15

0.15

Remainder

NOTE Where
0.003 0 percent.

a melt contains

scrap

or other

re-used

material

the bismuth

content

shall

not exceed

1S 2878:2004
HANDLE

Iv

DISCHARGE
VALVE \

II Ah

HOSE RESTING
BRACKET7

I l-!-r

0s4
FCLN
1

11

19

+-

WHEEL

HOSE REST
BRACKE

BOTTO
CLAMP

TROLLEYJ

FIG. 1 GENERALFEATURES
OFCARBONI) IOXIDF
TYPEFIREEXTINCiUISH~R,
TROLLEYMOUNTED
Table 4 Mechanical

Properties

( Clauses 6.1.1 and6.2.2.3

S1

No.

Mechanical

(1)
i)
ii)

Properties

Requirements

(2)

(3)

Tensile strength ( T )

325 N/mm2, Min

Specified mioimum 0,2 percent proof stress ( Y )

280 N/mm2, Min

12.

iii)

Elongation

iv)

Bend test former radios

v)

Hardness equivalent to:

Brinell or
Rockwell B

percent. on 5.65~

Min

3 (, maximum ( t, is actual
thickness of the specimen )
90. Min
45. Min

IS 2878:2004

Head

Burst disc

O-ring-stem

Handle

Valve stem

Safety plug

10

Sealing washer

11

Valve stem seal

Seat-valve

stem

Spring pin 04 x 30

12

Trigger

13

Spring

Pull pin

14

Adoptor Syphon tube

FIG. 2 SQUEIZEGRIPVALVE GENERALARRANGE!WNT

IS 2878:2004

Head

Syphon tube

Trigger

Safety plug

Handle

10

Burst disc

Pull pin

11

Sealing washer

Spring pin

12

Springcompression

13

Valve stemassembiy

04x

30

Seal O-ring

Syphontube adopter
FIG.3 SQU~EZE
GRIPVALV~ ASS~MWY

IS 2878:2004
6.2 Design for Aluminium
6.2.1

Thickness

Extinguishers

?f Cylindrical

formed by forging, swaging, or spinning. Ends shall

not be welded on and metal shall not be added in the
process of closing.

Shell

The thickness of the cylindrical shell of a container

for liquefiable gases, up to and including a charged
pressure at 15C at 210 bar, shall not be iessthan the
value given by equation (1):
0.3 P,D,

f=

7fe Pl

or

0.3 P,DO
7&o.4Pl

6.2.2.2 Examination
in operation

D,/T)

... ... ...(1)

a)

Surface defects The internal and external

surfaces of the cylinder shall be free from
defects which might adversely affect the
safe working of the cylinder. A cylinder which
has a surface defect greater than 5 percent
of the shell thickness may have the defect
ground
out to the satisfaction
of the
inspecting
authority,
provided
the final
thickness
is checked
before closing-in
operation and is certified to be not less than
the calculated minimum wall thickness plus
additional allowance.

b)

Finished thickness The agreed finished

thickness shall be not less than the minimum
calculated wall thickness obtained by Ihe
formula at any point and at any transverse
section of the cylindrical portion. If required
by the purchaser, suitable allowance to cover
corrosion,
manufacturing
tolerances
and
stresses due to horizontal acceleration and
retardation during transportation
may also
be provided. The amount of this allowance
shall
be as agreed
to between
the
manufacturer
and the purchaser.

c)

Circularity The difference between the

maximum and minimum external diameter
measured
at any cross-section
of the
cylindrical portion of the cylinder shall not
exceed 1 percent of the nominal internal
diameter.

d)

Mass The minimum and maximum mass of

the cylinder shall be within the limits agreed
upon between the manufacturer
and the
purchaser,
depending
on size, type and
required thickness.

e)

Water capacity The water capacity of the

cylinders shall be such that the nominal water
capacity
for the permanent
gases and
minimum water capacity for liquefiable gases
shall be obtained as agreed to between the
purchaser and the manufacturer.

f)

Permissible pressure The test pressure

on which the design of the extinguisher
container is based shall be not less than:

... ... ... (2)

where
minimum wall thickness, in mm, to resist
internal pressure and external forces due
to normal handling but excluding
any
additional thickness for other influences;

t=

PI

f),
.~

test pressure ( in bar ) applicable to the

design governed by equations (1) and (2);
DOis the external diameter of the container,
in mm;

internai diameter

maximum permissible equivalent stress, in

N/nlm2, at test pressure [ = 0.75 x minimum
specified 0.2 percent proof stress ( Y ) of
the material of construction];

of the container,

in mm;

T=

minimum tensile strength,

Y=

minimum specified 0.2 percent proof stress,

in N/mmz.

in N/mmz;

NOTE Values ot7and Yfor the permissible materials

are given in Table 2.

6.2.2

Manufactui-e

.6.2.2.1

Process of manufacture

The container

shall be made:

a)

by cold or hot extrusion from castor extruded

billets; or

b)

by cold or hot extrusion followed by cold

drawing from cast or extruded billets; or

c)

by cupping and cold drawing sheet or plate;

or

d)

by necking at both ends extruded or cold drawn

tube.

They shall be made only by a process that has been

shown to produce containers free from cracks or other
flaws that could adversely affect the safety of the
containers.
The ends shall be of an approved

before closing-

Each cylinder shall be examined before final closingin operation for external and internal surface defects,
finished thickness and circularity of the cylindrical
shell.

The thickness
of the shell
determined
by
equation (1) shall not be less than the value given by
equation (2).
t = 2.484(

of the cylinders

shape and shall be

6

IS 2878:2004
1/0.85 x the pressure developed by the gas
at the reference temperature ( for liquefiable
gases).
6.2.2.3

in the correct manner shall be provided

of the extinguishers.

8.3 The extinguisher

shall be marked with the
letters B and C indicating
their suitability
for
respective classes of tires as laid down in IS 2190.
The letters B and C shall be of2.5 cm size printed in
white colour centrally contained in a square of4 cm
size and a circle of 2 cm radius respectively and shall
be coloured black. For 2 kg capacity, size of square
shall be 2 cm and a circle of 1 cm radius and size of
letter 1.5 cm.

Heat treatment

Each container shall be heat treated at a temperature

within the range 5 15C to 545C and water quenched
and then artificially aged at a temperature
selected
within the range 150C to 200C.
Minimum values of mechanical properties required in
the finished container after heat treatment and at room
temperature shall be as given in Table 4.

8.4 The paint shall conform to IS 2932.

The operations involving heat treatment shall be carried

out carefully
in furnaces
equipped
to control
temperatures accurately, and the containers shall be
maintained at the stipulated temperatures for the length
of time necessary to ensure that all parts have reached
the required temperature and all necessary metallurgical
changes have been effected.
6.3 Discharge

Valve or Operating

The valve shall be provided

grip type or wheel
6.4

Discharge

on the body

9 PERFORMANCE
9.1 Discharge

REQUIREMENTS

Duration

The design and construction

of the extinguisher
shall be such that when operated at an angle of
not more than 45C from thevertical at a temperature
of27 * 2C, it shall expel not less than 95 percent of
the contents in the form of a continuous discharge
within the following
period
from the time of
operating the valve.
The body shall be weighed
30 min after the discharge period and shall be wiped
and dried before checking
the contents.
The
minimum effective discharge time of extinguishers
shall not be less than the appropriate
value given
in Table 1.

Head

and it shall be squeeze

type.

Fittings

6.4.1 The discharge tube shall be provided to 2 and

s kg capacity extinguishers
fitted to discharge valve

by swivel joints.
NOTE Extinguisher
before testing.

6.4.2 The hose of not less than 10 mm internal diameter

shall be provided for4.5, 6.5, 9 and 22.5 kg capacity
fire extinguishers.
The length of the hose shall be
not less than 1 m for 4.5 and 6.5 kg capacity fire
extinguisher, 2 m for 9 kg, and 5 m for 22.5 kg capacity
fire extinguishers.
6.4.3 A discharge horn with a suitable
be provided ( see Fig. 1 ).

9.2 Intermittent

should be conditioned

for I h

Operation

An extinguisher shall be capable of being operated

intermittently
without freeze up of the valve seat
and causing any leak when conditioned at 27 + 2C.
The valve shall be opened for 3 s and closed for 10s
and the cycle shall be repeated and shall discharge
at least 95 percent of the contents.

handle shall

6.5 Trolley
9.3 Leakage
The details of trolley are given in Fig. 1. The
dimensions of trolley shall be 132 mm x 28 mm x
20 mm for sizes up to -9 kg and for higher sizes
300 mm x 50 mm x25 mm.
7 ANTI-CORROSIVE

Test

The extinguisher
without its attachment
shall be
filled with C02 gas to the specified filling ratio
and dipped in water for 2 min and then check that no
bubbles come out or soap solution test for leakage
be carried out.

TREATMENT

surface of.the body shall be completely

coated with epoxy powder of minimum 0.050 mm
thickness.
The thickness of the coating shall be
measured as per the procedure given in IS 3203.

The external

9.4 Inspection

and Tests for Aluminium

Cylinders

9.4.1
Inspection
and test requirements
for
aluminium cylinders used in the extinguishers
are
given in Annex A, Annex B, Annex C and Annex D.

8 PAINTING
9.5 Class B Test Fire
8.1 Each extinguisher shall be painted fire red or post
office red conforming to shade No. 536 or 537 of IS 5.

9.5.1

8.2 A picture showing operation

Class B test fires utilize

of the extinguisher
7

Construction
a range of welded-sheet-

IS 2878:2004
NOTES

steel cylindrical
trays
( dimensions
given
in rable 6 ). The sides are vertical.
The bases of
the trays are set horizontal
and level with the
surrounding ground.

1 Tbe extinguisher maybe discharged continuously or

in intermittent bursts at the discretion of the operator.
The operator may move round the fire in order to obtain
the best results. Operator should use proper tire protective
suits, helmet and gloves.

NOTE Reinforcement of the base of the larger test

tlretraysw,ill
benecessary to minimize distortion, 10
such cases it will be necessary to ensure that the
underside of the trays are not exposed to the atmosphere.

2 For reasons of safety the operator shall not reach

over the edge of the tray, and at no time shall the operator
reach onto or into the tray.

Details of Class Btestfires aregivenin

Table5. Each
test fire is designated by a number followed by the
letter B.
9.5.2

9.S.4

Use an aliphatic
hydrocarbon
having an initial
boiling point of no less than 88C and a final boiling
point of not more than 105C. Most suitable and
universally used fuel is rr-heptane.

The extinguisher
horn shall be constructed
to
withstand crushing when 25 kg is applied to its
extremity
for 5 min immediately
after having
completely
discharged
the extinguisher
through
the -horn.

Procedure

9.5.3.1 Add the appropriate

volume of water and
rr-heptane specified
in Table 5. Add additional
water to compensate for distortion of the base so that
all points are covered, subject to a maximum liquid
depth of 50 mm and a minimum heptane depth of
15 mm at any point.

Subject the horn to the following test:

a)

Condition

b)

Attach
the
extinguisher;

c)

Discharge the extinguisher with the valve fully

open;

d)

Subject the horn to a static load of 25 kg

using a circular contact surface of 50 mm
diameter for 5 min applied at the end of the
horn; and

Ignite the ftlel

9.5.3.3 Permit the fuel to burn freely for a minimum

of 10 s before operating the extinguisher.
9.5.3.4
Operate the extinguisher
and apply
extinguishing medium to the test fire.

the

Table 5 Dimensions
(C/auses
St

No.

Classification

Test

9.5 Special Requirements

NOTE Typical fuels meeting this requirement are rrbeptane and certain solvent fractions sometimes referred
to as commercial heptane.

9.5.3.2

Extinguishment

An extinguisher, charged with its rated capacity of

extinguishing
agent
and expellant
gas, and
conditioned
at the minimum storage temperature
for 18 h, shall extinguish a Class B test fire two
classification
sizes smaller than the rating of the
extinguisher given in Table 5.

Fuel

9.5.3

Low-Temperature

the horn at 55C for 18 h;

horn

to

a fully

charged

of Class B Test Fires

9.5.1 ,9.5.3.1,

9.5.4 arrdB-5 )

Minimum
Discharge of
Extinguishers

Volume of
IJiquidlJ
i

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

570+

10

150+5

2.0

0.25

.Dian~eter2)
mm

Dimensions of Test Fire Tray

internal
Depth2j, mm

Minimal
Thickness

.
Approximate
Surface of Fire

(1)

(2)

i)

!3B3)

ii)

13B3)

13

720+

10

150+5

2.0

0.41

iii)

21B

21

920+

10

150+5

2.0

0.66

34B

34

1 170+

10

150+5

2.5

1.07

iv)

NOTE Each test fire is designated by a number in a series in which each term is equal to the sum of the two preceding
terms ( this series is equivalent to geometric progression having a common ratio of about 1.62 ). Test fires larger than
those given may be constructed following the rules of this geometric progression, The additional tires 70 B/1 13B/l 83 B
represent the product of the preceding term and ~

-.
I) I/3 water and 2/3 heptane.
) Measured at rim.
J) This fire size is for a low-temperature

tire teSt OnlY.

1S 2878:2004
e)

Check that the horn does not show

evidence of cracking or breakage.

any

operating
head, internal discharge
tube
and carrying handle but not any hose or
discharge horn assembly ), shown as EW;
and

10 MARKING
Every extinguisher
shall be clearly
10.1
permanently
marked
in accordance
with
requirements laid down in 10.2 and 10.2.1.
10.2 The following
the extinguisher:

information

a)

Manufacturers

b)

Method of operation

c)

The words CARBON

prominent
letters;

and
the

b)

shall be marked on

10.3 BIS Certification

name or trade-mark;
in prominent

Capacity;

e)

Year of manufactur~
of refilling; and

t-l

Source, year of manufacture

and its test pressure.

of extinguisher

The use of the Standard Mark is governed by the

provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act,
1986 and the Rules
and Regulations
made
thereunder.
The details of conditions under which
a licence for the use of the Standard Mark may be
granted to manufacturers
or producers
may be
obtained from the Bureau of Indian Standards.

and date

of the cylinder

10.2.1 The following information to facilitate filling

or recharging shall also be marked on the head of
extinguisher or on the neck of the cylinder:
a)

Empty weight of extinguisher

11 SAMPLING
CONFORMITY

ANNEX

Colours for ready mixed paints

and enamels (fourth revision )

407:1981

Specification
for brass tubes for
general purposes ( third revision )

738:1994

Wrcwght aluminium alloys, drawn

tube
for general
engineering
purposes ( third revision )

1545:1994

Solid drawn copper xnd copper

alloy tubes for condenser
and
heat exchangers
Specification
( [bird revision)

2190:1992

installation
and
Selection,
maintmance
.of first-aid
fire
extinguishers
Code of practice
( second revision)

2932:1993

Enamel, synthetic,
exterior : (a)
Undercoating
(b) Finishing

Specification
( second revision)

and criteria for conformity

is

INDIAN

STANDARDS

Is No.

Title

5:1994

FOR

2 and 9.4.1 )

LIST OF REFERRED
1S No,

AND CRITERIA

The details of sampling

given in Annex E.

( to include

( clauses

Markkng

The extinguisher may also be marked with the Standard

Mark.

letters;

D1OX1DE TYPE in

d)

Filled weight of extinguisher

( to include
operating
head, internal discharge
tube,
carrying
hand and gas-filled
contents
but not any hose or discharge
horn
assembly ), shown as FW.

Title

3203:1982

local
Methods
of
testing
electroplated
thickness
of
coatings (first revision )

3224:2002

Valve fittings for compressed gas

cylinders
excluding
liquefied
petrolemti gas ( LPG ) cyl inders
Specification
( third revision)

5903:1970

Recommendations
for
devices for gas cylinders

7285:1988

Specification
for seamless steel
cylinders for permanent and high
liquefiable
pressure
gases
( second revision)

15222:2002

Carbon dioxide as.fire extinguishing

media
for fire protection

Specification

safety

IS 2878:2004

ANNEX
( clause

B
9.4.1 )

MECHANICAL

TESTS

B-1 GENERAL

Load (in kgf )

( Ball diameter )Z ( in mm2 )

Mechanical tests shall be carried out on the material

of finished containers in accordance with 6.1.1.

b)

For the purpose of testing, a batch is a group of

containers of the same design not exceeding 2(I 1 in
number, from the same cast heat treated at the same
conditions of temperature
and duration.
B-2 FREQUENCY

.-

OF TESTING

c)

After a change of material

cast: three
containers shall be taken from the first 500
container
produced,
including
the first
container.

b)

After a significant break in production, for

example, a weekend : a minimum of one
container shall be taken from the first 500
containers produced.

c)

After the first 500 containers

produced
following start-up of a production run: testing
shall be at regular intervals throughout the
production run at the following minimum
frequency:
Daily Production
Rate

up to 1000

2)

1/0.85 x the pressure developed by the

gas at the reference temperature
( for
permanent and liquefiable gases ).

Other equivalent method approved

independent
inspecting authority.

by the

TEST

NOTE The ends only may be flattened for gripping

in the testing machine.

1 container
2 containers

Upto 10000

3 containers

upto20000

4 containers

upto30000

5 containers

TEST

Eachaluminium
container after heat treatment
be subjected to a hardness test as follows:

BEND

TEST

Cold bend tests shall be made on low strips cut

from the same container or test ring as that used
to provide the tensile test piece. A ring shall either
be cut from container or test ring and divided into
four strip-s of equal length or, alternatively, two rings
shall be cut from a container smd each ring shall be
cut into two strips of equal length. The width of the
ring shall be 25 mm unless 25 mm is less than four
times the minimum manufacturing
thickness of the
container as specified on the drawing ( including
corrosion allowance, if any), in which case the width
shall be not less than four times the minimum
manufacturing
thickness of the container or where
machining of the test piece is permitted, not less
than four times the thickness
of the test piece.
-Except for large containers, the face and the back of
the test piece shall not be machined but the edges
may be rounded
off.
Where bending
the full

NOTE The frequency of tests maybe increased

to reduce the span of production between tests.

Brinell hardness

at 15C ( for

In preparing the test piece with the cross section

formed by a portion of the wall of the container, the
face and back of the test piece shall not be machined,
but shall represent the surface of the container as
manufactured.

All containers shall be identified so that if a

container fails a test, containers produced
since the last successful test can be isolated
and submitted to further tests

a)

1.5 x charged pressure

permanent gases ); and

The tensile test spe~imen shall be made from a strip

cut longitudinally
from a finished container or test
ring. The cross-section
shall either be formed by a
portion of the wall of the container or ( when the wall
thickness permits ) be circular with a diameter of not
less than 7 mm for the central portion.

Number ( Test at
Even Intervals )

upto5000

HARDNESS

1)

B-4 TENSILE

B-5

B-3

Rockwell hardness test , in which case the

value obtained shall be as given below.
The test pressure on which the design of the
container is based shall be not less than the
greater of(1) or (2):

Tensile and bend tests in accordance with 6.1.1 shall

be carried out on the material of one finished container
in every batch. However, in case of change in production
schedule, tests shall be carried out as follows:
a)

= 17);or

shall

test, in which case:

10

1S 2878:2004
thiclmess of thecontaincr
is impracticable,
the test
piece, shall at the discretion
of the independent
inspecting
Authority,
be thinned
uniformly
by
machining from one side; the un-machined
surface
shall be bent in tension.
The test piece
inwards round
times the actual
in Table 5 until
than twice the

shall remain un-cracked when bent

a former radius not greater than three
thickness of the specimen as specified
the gap between the ends is not greater
radius of the former.

B-6 EXAMINATION
SURFACE DEFECTS

OF THICKNESS

AND

Before the closing-in operation each contairwr shall

be examined for minimum thickness and fortxternal
and internal surface defects by mechanical means or
ultrasonic methods in accordance with Annex D. Any
defects shall be removed by local dressing. The wall
-thickness of the dressed area shall not be reduced
below the minimum wall thickness shown on the
manut%cturn-s drawing.
B-7 EXAMINATION

OF NECK

FOLDS

Each container shall be examined for neck folds by

means of an introscope or other suitable method.
Folds that are visible as a line running into the
threaded portion shall be removed by a machining
operation, until the lines are no longer visible.
After this machining
operation
the thickness
at
the machined area shall not be less than twice the
designed wall thicknexs of the container.
After machining, the whole area shall be re-inspected
and measured for thickness.
Where folding or lines
have not been removed or cracks are visible the
container shall be rejected.
Folds that extend beyond the machined area and are
open depressions
where no oxide skin has been
forged into the metal shall be accepted provided that
the peaks are smooth and the roots of the depressions
are rounded.
B-8 HY-DRAULIC
Each container

TESTS

shall be subjected

to a hydraulic

test.

B-8.1 Type of Test

When the examination is required, it shall be carried
out by ultrasonic methods as specified in Annex D,
each completed container, other than those required
for the tests specified in 6.1.1, shall be subjected to
proof pressure test.
When ultrasonic examination
is not carried out on
either container or bar stock, each container shall
be subjected
to a volumetric
expansion
test in

accordance
B-8.2

with Annex C.

Test Pressure

The test pressure shall be determined in accordance

with design of container shell. No pressure greater
than 80 percent of the-test pressure shall be applied
to any container before the test.
B-8.3 Volumetric

Expansion

Test

The permanent volumetric expansion shown by the

test expressed all proportion of the total expansion
under the test pressure shall not exceed 5 percent.
If the test is made by the non jacket method ( see
Annex C ) the container
shall be examined
for
signs of leakage when subjected to the test pressure.
If the permanent
volumetric
expansion
exceeds
5 percent of the total expansion
under the test
pressure, the container shall be deemed not to comply
with this standard.
B-8.4

Proof Pressure

Test

Testequipment; all rigid pipe work, flexible tubing,

valves,
fittings
and components
forming
the
pressure
system of the test equipment
shall be
capable of withstanding
a pressure equal to the
maximum test pressure of any container to be tested.
They shall be tested at regular intervals, and in any
case not less frequently than once a month.
The design and installation
of the equipment and
the containers connected to it shall be such as to
avoid trapping air in the system.
B-8.5 Test Method
The test pressure
shall be established
from the
making on the container.
When applied to the
container, it shall not be exceeded by more than
3 percent or 10 bar, whichever is the lower.
On attaining the test pressure the container(s) shall
be isolated from the pump and the pressure held for
a minimum period of 1 rein, during which period the
pressure as registered on the test gauge shall remain
constant.
Under these conditions
of test the
container(s)
shall not show any sign of leakage,
visible deformation or defect.
If there is .a leakage in the pressure system it shall
be COIlected and the container(s) retested.
NOTE More than one container may be tested at a
time provided that they all have the same test
pressure and that each individual point is capable of being
isolated.

B=8.6 Drying Out

The interior

of each container

shall be Thoroughly

IS 2878:2004
dried by a suitable
method
hydraulic testing. Containers
above 150C.

immediately
after
shall not be heated

considered a new design compared

approved design, when:

with an existing

a)

it is manufactured

in a different

factory; or

b)

it is manufactured

by a different

process; or

not more than

c)

the base profile and the base thickness have

changed relative to the container diameter
and calculated minimum wall thickness; or

1 Where itcan reestablished

fromtheh eattreatment
furnace records that the artificial ageing treatment has
not been adequate, additional time at the ageing treatment
temperatures
permissible.

d)

the length of the container has increased

by more than 50 percent ( containers with
an L/D ratio less than 3 shall not be used as
referenced containers
for any new design
with an L/D ratio greater than 3 ); or

e)

the diameter
5 percent; or

a change in hydraulic test pressure requires

a change in design wall th-ickness.

B-8.7 Re-heat
Containers
once.

Treatment

shall be solution

treated

NOTES

2 Where itcanbe estabfislled thatsolution heattreatmel]t

was at fault resolution treatment and artificial ageing
of the container are permissible.

B-9 CHECKING

OF WATER CAPACITY

The water capacity of each container shall be checked

and recorded.
This shall be done by weighing, by
filling the container with a calibrated volume of liquid
or by other means approved
by the Independent
Inspection Authority.
b
<)
If after the permitted number of retests and re-heat
treatments the mechanical
requirements
have not
been complied with, the containers in the batch shall
be rendered unserviceable
for holding gas under
pressure, by one of the following methods:

has changed

by more than

Where a container is tobe used for a lower pressure

duty than that for which design approval has been
given, it shall not be deemed a new design.
The nominal hoop stress corresponding to the pressure
at which destruction occurs shall be calculated from
the formula:
pb =

2ofb t
(Do-t)

a)
b)

Container
means.

shall -be crushed

An irregular hole shall be made in the top

dome of the container, equivalent in area to
approximately
10 percent of the area of the
top dome; or, in the case of thin walled
containers, the containers shall be pierced
in at least three places. Drilling a hole or
holes in a container shall not be considered
as satisfying the requirement of this clause.

of this clause

&

= nominal hoop stress, in N/mmz,

destruction
occurs;

P~ = internal
pressure,
destruction
occurs;

in

bar,

at which
at

which

DO = external diameter, in mm, of the container;

and
t = actual-minimum wall thickness,
the container being tested.

in mm, for

CONTAINERS

New Design

For the purpose

where

B-10 TESTING OF PROTOTYPE

B-10.1

by mechanical

a container

shall be

The value of fb shall be not less than 0.95 of the

minimum specified tensile strength of the material of
the container.

IS 2878:2004

ANNEX
( Clauses
VOLUMETRIC
C-1

9.4.1,

EXPANSION

B-8.1 and B-8.3 )

TESTING

This Annex gives details of two methods of determining

the volumetric expansion of seamless aluminium alloy
gas containers:
Water jacket
and

b)

Non-water

method

( preferred

OF SEAMLESS

method );

C-3.2 Apparatus

jacket method.
The water jacket shall be fitted with a safety device
capable of releasing the energy from any container
that may burst at the test pressure.

The water jacket volumetric expansion test may be

carried out on equipment with a Ievelling burette with
a fixed burette.

An air bleed valve shall be fitted to the highest point

of the jacket.

C-2 TEST EQUIPMENT

NOTE - The requirements
specified
in B-2.1
to B-2.7 are general to both methods of test,

C-3.3 Procedure
C-3.3.1

C-2.1

Hydraulic

test

pressure

pipelines

capable
of withstanding
pressures
equal
maximum test pressure of container that maybe

shall

Two methods of performing this test are described

in C-3.3.2 and C-3.3.3. Other methods are acceptable
provided that they are capable of measuring the total
and, if any, the permanent volumetric expansion of
the container.

to the
tested.

Glass

to receive

C-3.3.2
Water .Jacket Volumetric
( Levelling Burette Method)

C-2.3
Pressure gauges shall be tested at regular
intervals and in any case not less frequently than
once a month.

C-2.5 Pipe work shall utilize long bends in preference

to elbow fittings and pressure pipes shall be as short
as possible.
Flexible tubing shall be capable of
withstanding equal to the maximum test pressure of
any container that may be tested and have sufficient
wall thickness to prevent kinking.
C-2.6

All joints shall be leak-tight.

C-2.7
stem.

Care shall be taken to avoid trapping air in the

.JACKET

EXPANSION

TEST

C-3.1

Expansion

Test

A typical example of the equipment

required is
shown in Fig. 4. The following procedure shall be
carried out:

C-2.4
A suitable device shall be employed
to
ensure that the test pressure of.the container is not
exceeded by more than 3 percent or 10 bar which-ever
is the lower.

C-3 WATER

General

be

length
burettes
shall be of sufficient
water equivalent to the full volumetric
expansion of the container and capable of being read
to an accuracy of 1 percent or 0.1.
C-2.2

CONTAINERS

measured by the amount of water displaced from the

jacket when the container has been pressurized.
The
permanent volumetric expansion of the container is
measured by the amount of water that continues to
be displaced from the jacket when the pressure has
been released.

GENERAL

a)

VOLUMETRIC

Principle

a)

Fill the container with water and attach the

water jacket cover to it,

b)

Seal the container in the jacket and attach

the pressure line to the container.

c)

Fill the jacket with water, allowing air to

bleed off through the air bleed valve. Close
the air bleed valve when water issues freely
from it.

d)

Adjust
datum
Adjust
burette
filling

e)

Raise the pressure in the container to twothirds of the test pressure. Close the hydraulic
pressure supply valve and check that the
burette reading remains constant.

the zero level on the burette to the

mark on the burette support stand.
the height of the water to the
zero level by manipulation of the jacket
valve and the drain valve.

NOTE A rising water level indicates a leaking

joint between container and jacket, A falling water
level indicates a Ieakingjoint between water jacket
and atmosphere.

This method of test necessitates

enclosing
the
water filled container in a jacket also filled with water.
The total volumetric expansion of the container is
13

IS 2378:2004

IL

Wii

fxz
3
m

14

II

i
UJ
K
r

IS 2878:2004

Open the hydraulic pressure line valve and

continue the pressurization
of the container
until the test pressure is reached. Close the
hydraulic pressure line valve.

g)

Read the water level in the burette.

This
reading is the total expansion and shall be
recorded on the test certificate.

h)

Open the hydraulic pressure Iine drain valve

to release pressure ti-om the container. Check
that the pressure is at zero and that the water
level is constant.

j)

Read the water level in the burette.

This
reading is the permanent
expansion,
if
any, and shall be recorded
on the test
certificate.

k)

Check that the permanent expansion does not

exceed 5 percent of the total expansion as
determined by the following:

g) Lower the burette until the water level is at

the datum mark on the burette support stand.
Take the reading of the water level in the
burette. This reading is the total expansion
and shall be recorded on the test certificate.
h)

j)

k)

Open the hydraulic pressure line drain valve

to release pressure from the container. Raise
the burette until the water level is again at
the datum line on the burette support stand.
Check that the pressure is at zero and that
the water level is constant.

Permanent

Read the water level in the burette.

This
reading
is the permanent
expansion,
if
any, and shall be recorded
on the test
certificate.

expansion

x 100

C-4 NON-WATER JACKET

EXPANSION TEST
C-4.1

Percent
Expansion

Test

A typical example of the equipment

required is
shown in Fig. 5. The following procedure shall be
carried out :
a)

Seal the container in the jacket and attach

the pressure line to the container.

c)

Fill the jacket with water, allowing air to

bleed off through the air bleed valve. Close
the air bleed valve when water issues freely
from it.

d)

Adjust the water level to the zero mark on

the burette.

e)

Raise the pressure

in the container
to
two-thirds of the test pressure.
Close the
hydraulic
pressure
supply
valve
and
check that the burette reading remains
constant.

Principle

The equipment shall be arranged such that all air

can be removed.
The glass tube reservoir shall bc
calibrated in millimeters and be accurate to 1 percent
of reading.
It shall be so arranged that accurate
readings can be determined of the volume of water
required to pressurize the filled container and of
the volume expelled
from the container
when
depressurized.
In the case of large containers, it may
be necessary to augment the glass tube with metal
tubes arranged in a manifold.
If a single-acting hydraqlic pump is used, care shall
be taken to ensure that the piston is in tile back
position when water levels are noted.
The water used shall be free of air. Any leakage from
the system or the presence of free air will result in
false readings.

NOTE A rising water level indicates a leaking

joint between. container and jacket. A falling water
level indicates a leaking joint between water jacket
and atmosphere.
f)

VOLUMETRIC

C-4.2 Apparatus

Fi 11the container with water and attach the

water jacket cover to it.

b)

Percent

This method consists of measuring the amount of

water passed
into the container
under proof
pressure and on release of this pressure, measuring
the water returned to the manometer.
It is necessary
to allow the compressibility
of water and the volume
of the container under test to obtain true volumetric
expansion.
No fall in pressure under this test is
permitted.

Tcrtal expansion
C-3.3.3
Water Jacket Volumetric
( Fixed Burette Method)

x 100

Total expansion

Check that the permanent expansion does

not exceed 5 percent of the total expansion
as determined by the following:
Permanent

expansion

Every care shall be taken to maintain

steady
temperature
conditions
and sufficient
time shall
be allowed to permit the apparatus, the container
and the water to attain
a uniform
constant
temperature.

Open the hydraulic pressure line valve and

continue the pressurization
of the container
until the test pressure is reached. Close the
hydraulic pressure line valve.
15

1S 2878:2004

WATER SUPPLY

OVERFLOW ~
PRIMING VALVE

POINTER AITACHED TO
FIXED FRAME AT WATER
LEVEL

lA/.

e-r

c,,

,.,0

I I\

REI.IEF

la

DRAIN

FIG. 5 WATERJACKETVOLUMETRIC
EXPANSION
TEST( FIXEDBURETTE)

necessary.

A typical
example
of the equipment
required
is shown
in Fig, 6.
This figure
illustrates
diagrammatically
the different
parts
of the
apparatus. The water supply pipe shall be collected
to an overhead tank or to some other supply giving
a sufficient head of water.
C-4.2.1

Test Method

a)

Completely fill the container with water and

determine the mass of water required.

b)

Connect the container to the hydraulic test

pump through coil A and check that all valves
are closed.

c)

Fi 11the pump and system with water from

tank C by opening valves D, E and H.

d)

To ensure the expulsion

of air from the
system, close valve H and raise the system
pressure to approximately
one-third of the
test pressure. Open bleed valve G to release
trapped air by reducing the system pressure
to zero and reclose vaIve G. Repeat if
16

e)

Continue to fill the system smtil the level in

glass tube A4 is approximately 300 mm from
the top of this tube. Close valve D and mark
the water level by pointer P, leaving valves
E and Hopen.
Record the level.

f)

Close valve H. Raise the pressure in the

system until pressure gauge K records the
required test pressure. Stop the pump. After
approximately
30 s there should be no
change in either the water level or the
pressure. A change in level indicates Iea$age.
A fall in pressure, if there is no leakage,
indicates that the cylinder is still expanding
under pressure.

Record the fall of the water level in the glass

tube. Providing there has been no leakage,
the water drained from the glass tube will
have been pumped into the container to
achieve test pressure.
This difference in
water level is the volumetric expansion.

1S 2878:2004

.L

w.:

IIH

ill

lb
L1

FIG. 6 NON WATERJACKET

VOLUMETRIC
EXPANSION
TEST
h)

j)

Open valve H slowly to release the pressure

in the container and allow the water released
to return to the glass tube. The water level
should return to the original level should be
marked by pointer P. If the water level returns
to a point below pointer P, this difference in
level will denote the amount of permanent
volumetric
expansion
in the container,
neglecting the effect of the compressibility
of the water obtained from the calculation
given in C-4.4.

C-4.3.2
The total mass and temperature
of the
water in the container are known and compressibility
to be calculated by the change in the volume of the
water in the container.
The volume of the water
expelled from the container when depressurized
is
known. Thus total volumetric expansion ( TE ) and
permanent
volumetric
expansion
( FE ) can be
determined.

Before disconnecting the container from the

test rig, close valve E. This will leave the

C-4.4 The compressibility

the following formula:

C-4.3.3 The permanent volumetric expansion shall

not exceed 5 percent of the total volumetric expansion.

pump and system full of water for the next

test. Action as per C-4.2 .l(d) shall, however,
be repeated at each subsequent test.
k)

C-4.3

of water is calculated from

0.68P
C=mP[K

105

where

If permanent
volumetric
expansion
has
occurred, record the temperature of the water
in container.
Test Results

C-4.3.1
The tests determine the volume of water
required to pressurize
the filled container to test
pressure.

17

c.

volume of water forced into the container

due to compressibility
of water, in ml;

m=

mass of water in the container

pressure, in kg;

p.

test pressure,

K=

factor for individual temperatures

in Table 6.

at test

in bar; and
as given

1S 2878:2004
Table6

KFactors

forthe Compressibility

of Water

( Clauses 9.5.1 amz-C-4.4 )

S1 No.

(1)

(2)

(3)

i)

0.049 15

ii)

0.04886

iii)

0.04860

iv)

0.04834

v)
vi)

10

0,048 12

11

0.04792

vii)

12

0.04775

viii)

13

0.04759

ix)

14

0.04742

x)

15

0.04725

xi)

16

0.047 10

xii)

17

0.04695

xiii)

18

0.04680

xiv)

19

0.04668

xv)

20

0.04654

xvi)

21

0.04643

xvii)

22

0.04633

xviii)

23

0.04623

xix)

24

0.046 13

xx)

25

0.04604

xxi)

26

0.04594

18

IS 2878:2004

ANNEX
( Clauses 9.4.1,

B-6 ami B-8.l

ULTRASONIC THICKNESS MEASUREMENT

D-1

GENERAL

indicating
a given thickness
of material to any
accuracy within + 2.5 percent of the set value.

This method covers the thickness measurement

of
seamless container employing either the pulse echo
or the resonance system. Either contact or immersion
techniques
may be used. The container
shall be
examined to ensure that the thickness is not below
the design minimum:
a)

on the base end;

b)

on the parallel

c)

on any part of the container where surface

blemishes have been removed by grinding,
machining, etc.

D-2.1 Couplant
A coupling method that ensures adequate transmission
of ultrasonic energy between the testing probe and
the container shall be used.
D-2.2 Frequency

body; and

The ultrasonic
than 2 MHZ.

test frequency

used shall be not less

The container to be inspected and the search unit shall

have a rotating motion and a translation relative to
one another is such that a helical scans of the container
are within +10 percent. The pitch of the helix shall be
less than the probe and shall be related to the effective
beam width so as to ensure 100 percent coverage at
the speeds and feeds used during the calculation
procedure.

NOTE Both the testing and the reflecting surfaces

of the containers shall be clean and free from any materials

that will interfere with test.

D-2 EQUIPMENT
The test equipment
shall be of either the pulse
echo or the resonance type and shall be capable of

19

IS 2878:2004

ANNEX

( Clause 11 )
SAMPLING

AND CRITERIA

E-O GENERAL

FOR CONFORMITY
Number ofItems
in the Lot

The risk involved in failure of a fire extinguisher to

work, when needed, is extremely large. Fire extinguisher,
therefore, ought to have a high degree of reliability
for performance during the entire specified period of
its service. It can be achieved only through adequate
design and control of quality of all raw materials,
component parts and fittings followed by process
control in all stages of manufacture and assembly.

(1)

Sample Size
Percent
(2)

Up to 25

26 to 50

51 to 100

101 and up to 20.0

E-1.2.3
They shall be examined visually, as far
as possible,
in respect of requirement
specified
in 3 to 9.

E-1 SAMPLING

E-1.2.4 All the samples tested shall pass all these

tests for the lot to be declared to conform to these
requirements.

E-1.1 All fire extinguishers of the same type, shape,

design
and capacity
produced
by the same
manufacturer
from similar materials under almost
identical
conditions
of manufacture
shall be
grouped together to constitute a lot.

E-1.2.5
One sample shall then be examined for
discharge duration and one for intermittent operation
and one of these for leakage.

E-1.2 Each lot shall be considered individually for

the purpose of evaluation of quality in accordance
with this specification.

E-1.2.6
In the absence of a test certificate from a
manufacturer about conformity of various components
( see 4 ) and the quality of charge ( see 5 ) to the
requirements
of this specification,
from a sample
fire extinguisher, one item each of all the component
parts and fittings shall be taken separately
and
examined individually
in respect of the relevant
requirements
laid down in this specification.
The
sample shall also meet the requirements
regarding
the quality of charge ( see 5 ).

E-1.2.1 The number of samples for testing to be taken

at random from a lot and the criteria for conformity
shall be as given in E-1.2.2.
E-1 .2.2 From each lot, a number of samples as indicated
below shall be selected at random.

20

Bureau

of Indian

Standards

,.

institution established
under the Bureau of Zndian Standards Act, 1986 to promote
harmonious.development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and
attending to connected matters in the country.

BIS is a statutory

Copyright
BIS has the copyright of all its publications.
No part of these publications may be reproduced in any form
without thepriorpermission
in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing
the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade designations. Enquiries relating
to copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications),
BIS.
Review of Indian Standards
Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also reviewed
periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates that no changes are
needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for revision. Users of Indian Standards
should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue
of BIS Catalogue and Standards : Monthly Additions.
This Indian Standard

has been developed

from Doc : No. CED22(7185

Amendments
Amend No.

).

Issued Since Publication

Text Affected

Date of Issue

BUREAU

OF INDIAN

STANDARDS

Headquarters:
Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002
Telephones: 23230131,23233375,2323
9402 Website: www.bis.arg.

Telephones

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Offices :

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NEW DELHI 110002

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23378499,23378561
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22541216,22541442
{ 22542519,22542315
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~ 28327891,28327892

: AHMEDABAD.
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